THE RETIRING MAYOR.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2176, 28 April 1908, Page 2

THE RETIRING MAYOR.

APPRECIATION OF SERVICES.

EULOGISTIC REFERENCES BY HARBOR BOARD MEMBERS.

As the Mayor of Gisborne (Mr. John Townley) will go out- of office on Tuesday next, and will consequently vacate his seat oil the Gisborne Harbor Board, Captain Tucker at the meeting held yesterday moved: “As -Mr. Townley, our Chairman, vacates his position as member after this date, tho Board desires to record on the minutes tlie Board’s thanks and cordial appreciation of the unfailing and valuable gratuitous services rendered by him during the many years he sat at the Board; and, further, very earnestly urges on him that to again offers his services as a member as scon as any vacancy occurs.” Continuing, tlie Hon. Captain Tucker said they must all agree they could not have had a more assiduous Chairman, who had not-spared himself in doing what he thought was his duty to the pccqile. Therefore, lie thought it would be' improper for them to do anything but to pass the extremely moderate resolution. H-o had proposed nothing more than what was reasonable and what was his due. Ho trusted that whenever a vacancy did occur Mr. Townley would take advantage of it. air. Sievwright- seconded tho motion. ■-

Mr. Matthewson said ho agreed with the first- portion of the resolution. Ho knew ill 1 . Townley was honest in his opinions, and had expressed them faithfully while at tho meetings, but ■ho did not think the Board should recommend any candidate to tho public, as tho public should be loft to select the members of the Board withou any recommendation. Mr. Townley had always favored work on the river, and ho thought the ratepayers should have full choice in selecting a member who was or was not in favor of continuing tho river works.

Mr. Lysnar said ho did not agreo with tho last portion of tho resolution. Ho would vote for tho motion with the reservation that it did not commit him to any expression of opinion on the subject of continued operations in the river. Captain Tucker said that out of deference to tho wishes of tho Board, he would delete tho last portion of the motion.

Messrs Lysnar, Matthewson, Harris, Hepburn, and AYliiuray then supported the motion, which was unanimously carried.

Mr. Townley said ho thanked tho Board for the resolution, and was sorry it had caused discussion. lie had been on the Harbor Board for many years, and claimed that a great deal of good had been done in’improving the river, In 1900 tip urgeil that the river improvements be pusln ed on, foP unless that had been done shipping and trade would have been retarded. Tho shipping now had fair despatch, and he claimed that ho had always been in the front of progress. If ho had his way, they would have 20 feet of water in the river. It could be got if they had a better dredge, which would be cheaper than building an outer harbor. However, that was not the question for discussion, and lie felt grateful at the kind consideration shown to him as a member and Chairman of tho Board. (Applause.)